Funeral Service Foundation Opens Academic and Professional Development Opportunities
Brookfield, Wisconsin — The Funeral Service Foundation is pleased to announce applications are open- or opening soon – for a wide range of academic and professional development scholarships for 2026. Designed to support students, new professionals and experienced practitioners, these opportunities strengthen funeral service education, uplift emerging leaders and advance excellence in care for grieving communities.
This year’s scholarship season is supported by the generosity of donors whose contributions strengthen every part of the Foundation’s mission, including our commitment to expanding access to education and professional development across funeral service.
“The Funeral Service Foundation’s mission has always been to strengthen funeral service and support those who care for grieving families,” said Jeff Smith, chair of the Funeral Service Foundation Board of Trustees. “Scholarships are one of the most meaningful ways we invest in the future of our profession – they remove barriers to education, bring people together through shared learning experiences, and help cultivate skilled, compassionate professionals.”
Scholarships Now Open
Academic Scholarships
The Funeral Service Foundation awards dozens of academic scholarships annually – ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 – for students enrolled in ABFSE- or Canadian-accredited funeral service programs.
25+ scholarships
Applications Open: February 15 – April 1 at FuneralServiceFoundation.org/Scholarship-Opportunities/Academic-Scholarships
Embalming & Restorative Art Seminar
An intensive NFDA training focused on strengthening technical embalming and restorative art skills. Scholarships support registration, lodging, and travel reimbursement.
5 scholarships available
Applications Open: February 3 – March 5 at FuneralServiceFoundation.org/Scholarship-Opportunities/Embalming-Restorative-Arts-Seminar
Event: May 4 – 8, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Certified Celebrant Training
This NFDA/Insight Institute program prepares participants to create and lead personalized, meaningful funeral ceremonies. Open to individuals affiliated with a funeral home.
10 scholarships available
Applications Open: February 3 – April 16 at FuneralServiceFoundation.org/Celebrant-Training
Event: June 24 – 26, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Scholarships Opening Soon
The following scholarship opportunities will open soon:
- NFDMA Annual Convention & Exposition
Applications Open March 1 – April 30 - CANA Cremation Innovation Convention
Applications Open March 1 – April 30 - National Emerging Leaders Program (NELP)
Applications Open March 10 – April 30
More information is available at FuneralServiceFoundation.org/Scholarship-Opportunities/Professional-Development.
ABOUT THE FUNERAL SERVICE FOUNDATION – FuneralServiceFoundation.org
Since 1945, the Funeral Service Foundation has served as the philanthropic voice of the funeral profession and has identified as the charitable arm of the National Funeral Directors Association since 1997. Donors and volunteer leaders profession-wide support the Foundation in its mission of lifting up grieving communities by investing in people and programs that strengthen funeral service.
